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Morchella semilibera DC. · Morchellaceae
Also: Semi-free morel
Where is it growing now? Open the map Mushroom alert for this species How the mushroom alert works
The half-free morel is a spring morel with a small, cap-like head that is joined to the stem only about halfway, and a hollow, granular stem. Overall it grows about 10 to 20 cm tall. Like all morels, it is poisonous raw and must be cooked thoroughly.
The half-free morel is an edible mushroom, but it is poisonous raw and must be cooked thoroughly. Dangerous look-alikes are the false morel (deadly poisonous) and the wrinkled thimble-cap (poisonous). The cap is joined to the stem only at about the halfway point.
It has an irregular, brain-like folded, brown cap instead of honeycomb ridges, and often grows under pines in spring. The cap of the half-free morel has honeycomb ridges and is hollow inside. Deadly poisonous, dangerous even after cooking.
View on the mapThe cap is wrinkled instead of honeycomb-ridged and is attached to the stem only at the tip. The half-free morel is joined to the stem about halfway. Poisonous, not recommended as an edible mushroom.
The cap is roundish to egg-shaped and fully joined to the stem at the lower edge. In the half-free morel the cap hangs free. Also edible, poisonous raw.
View on the map| Half-free morel | False morel | Wrinkled thimble-cap | Common morel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cap | cap-shaped, honeycomb-ridged, joined only halfway | folded like a brain, red-brown | wrinkled, bell-shaped, attached only at the tip | roundish to egg-shaped, fully joined to the stem |
| Underside | cap edge free, no gills, hollow | chambered inside, not uniformly hollow | free, no pits | hollow, cap and stem share one cavity |
| Stem | 4 to 8 cm, pale, granular, hollow | short, whitish, chambered | slender, hollow, pale | whitish to cream, hollow |
| Flesh | brittle, waxy | brittle, waxy | brittle | brittle, waxy |
| Edibility | Edible | deadly poisonous | poisonous | edible |
Deciduous and floodplain woods, on nutrient-rich soils. No reliable information.
No reliable information.
possible good main season
Rough estimate; the fruiting period depends on the weather.
There are no records per region for this species yet. The country pages lead to all regions with a daily forecast.
How good are the chances of finding this species where you are right now? We calculate it from weather, soil moisture, altitude and forest at your location.
Poison centre:
Emergency: 112 · 999
Poison centre:
Emergency: 112
Mushroom advice: DGfM: find a mushroom expert. Certified mushroom experts of the German Mycological Society (DGfM).
Collecting rules: Mushrooms that are not specially protected may be collected in small quantities for personal use unless a protected area or ban applies. Certain specially protected edible species (e.g. cep, chanterelle, birch bolete) may be collected in small quantities for personal use.
Poison centre:
Emergency: 112 · 144
Mushroom advice: Austrian Mycological Society (ÖMG): mushroom advice. Mushroom advice by the Austrian Mycological Society or regional services such as municipal market offices.
Collecting rules: At most 2 kg of mushrooms per person per day unless the forest owner has prohibited collecting; organised collecting events are prohibited. Additional state rules apply (collecting hours, closed seasons), e.g. Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg.
Morels are protected under nature conservation law in Germany. Collecting is allowed only in small quantities for personal use; observe the rules of the federal states.
Cut in half lengthways, check thoroughly for dirt and cook well, for example in butter, cream or sauces. Cook for at least 15 minutes.
No reliable information on drying. The half-free morel is poisonous raw, so always cook it thoroughly. Confusion with the false morel can be fatal. Cut open and check every find.
Yes, after thorough cooking. It is poisonous raw. Secure identification is important because of the poisonous look-alikes.
By the small, cap-shaped head that is joined to the stem only about halfway, and by the hollow, granular stem.
The false morel has a cap folded like a brain and a chambered stem. The half-free morel has honeycomb ridges and is hollow inside.
Morels are protected under nature conservation law in Germany. Collecting a small quantity for personal use is allowed; observe regional rules.
No substitute for having your finds checked in person. No guarantee of accuracy. Updated: 17.10.2026.
